Federal Minister of Transport visits the IAA International
Motor Show

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany--“You really get this feeling of being at the
start of a new electric
automotive age at the IAA” reported Federal Minister of Transport,
Wolfgang Tiefensee, at his visit today to the International Motor
Show
(IAA). “The manufacturers are offering many designs of electric car –
now it is important that the technology gets through to the market.
In
the coming months we will be reflecting on how to promote the sales
of
these vehicles. One fact is clear – the state needs to get involved
here
in some way.”

The Federal Minister of Transport spent two hours touring the motor
show, looking at the new vehicles and new promises being unveiled by
German automobile manufacturers. “Driving has to be fun” emphasized
Tiefensee. “The IAA demonstrates that you can have a really efficient
engine, consuming less and producing less CO2 in a car
that
hits the spot in emotional terms. The German automotive industry in
particular is leading by example with innovations that combine new,
environmentally friendly technologies with the latest safety
standards
and fantastic design.”

The Minister’s eye was especially taken by the hybrid and
battery-powered cars on the Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford and Volkswagen
stands. Tiefensee was of the opinion that electric power alone was
not
the solution. “We need a range of technologies – we need to make
gasoline and diesel engines even more efficient, while also promoting
bio fuels and in particular electric vehicles and hydrogen power.”
When
in Berlin, the Minister travels in a hydrogen-powered car on official
business.

The topic of the numerous discussions held between the Minister and
representatives of the automotive manufacturers and suppliers was
also
the collapse of the world automobile markets. Tiefensee said “The
automotive industry has been hit badly by the economic crisis, so it
was
definitely correct that the Federal Government came to the aid of
this
key sector.”

The original source-language text of this announcement is the
official,
authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation
only, and should be cross-referenced with the source-language text,
which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.